Pupils back smaller class sizes

High school students want smaller class sizes

Reducing class sizes is the most effective way of raising standards in schools, says a survey of teenagers in the United States.

The survey asked those on the receiving end of education initiatives to say what they believed made the biggest impact.

And the 13 to 18 year olds were most in favour of smaller class sizes, ahead of new computers, internet access and extra testing.

The results were part of an annual State of Our Nation's Youth survey, carried out by the Horatio Alger Association, a charity which each year provides $2.5m financial aid to students.

Cutting class sizes was a major theme of the Clinton administration - and in the United Kingdom has been a flagship policy of the Labour government.

While 64% of teenagers backed smaller class sizes, there was also 52% support for the Bush administration's plans for further testing and a tougher line with underachieving schools.

New technology and wider internet access was popular with 56% of teenagers surveyed and raising teachers' salaries was approved of by 46%.

Violence

The least popular approach to raising standards was to lengthen the school day, receiving the approval of only 7% of pupils.

This snapshot of attitudes also revealed that the role of parents was seen as being central to violence in schools.

The absence of parental influence was seen by teenagers as a major factor in children becoming violent.

The survey also found that 43% of those taking part in this telephone poll did not live with both parents.